Patent Grant
9620096
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to switching systems, display systems, control knob display systems and human touch control indicators for musical instruments. The invention particularly lends itself to programmable pickup, sensor or transducer switching where a selection of multiple pickups, sensors or transducers are used on musical instruments to provide different sounds.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric guitars and other electric instruments typically provide one or more pickups that “pickup” vibrations of the steel strings within the electro-magnetic field or pole of the pickup system to produce an electric signal output when the steel strings are moving while being played. Likewise, transducers (e.g., piezo transducers) that reside under a bridge saddle or under each individual string saddle provide amplification for nylon string type instruments or allow for an acoustic type sound of instruments with steel strings employing transducers in addition to the magnetic pickups.
Many types of pickups and transducers exist and each produce specific tone and timbre qualities depending, for example, on the location where these pickups are placed under the strings, amongst other variables. Depending on the type of pickup configurations, the instrument can produce even more unique tones and timbre sound qualities. The electric signals produced by the plurality of pickup locations and pickup types are sent to an amplifier or recording device through which the instrument's sound can be heard. Many switching schemes and systems provide different combinations for when the pickups are on (and actively producing sound) or off and not producing sound. That is, switching systems allow a musician to change, in real time, the sound of his/her musical instrument during a musical performance at times of their discretion. Prior art switching or selection systems, however, do not provide for full combinatorial combinations of pickup selections of series pickups, parallel pickups and series and parallel combinations of pickups used to create new instrument sounds and tones. Furthermore, the prior art does not provide a method for quick, convenient switching of selection of pickups in a way conducive to real time live performance or in recording situations nor do they provide for display options indicating the modes of operation the pickups are in for each sound.
Therefore, a need exists for programmable pickup, sensor and transducer switching systems with display options for the selection of multiple pickups, sensors and transducers for musical instruments, that enables programming with great ease (for example, even while in live and real time performance), and provides many combinations of pickup selections ranging in multiple pickup sounds, such as, for example, three to over one hundred and fifty, single coil, parallel coil and single coil mixed with humbucking configurations and/or piezo type transducers.
In embodiments of the present invention, a Pickup Director provides a fully programmable pickup switching and display system that can be used with great ease in live or studio performances. In embodiments, the programmable Pickup Director switching system includes a control logic printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of switches communicatively interconnected to the control logic PCB, a switch matrix communicatively interconnected to the control logic PCB, and optional display systems communicatively interconnected to the control logic PCB. In embodiments, the display system may include at least one transparent fastening screw or a light pipe next to the pickup with an associated light emitting diode (LED) or LEDs on a side of single coil or humbucking pickup, pickup covers, and enclosures on or around a pickup retaining ring surrounding a pickup that is configured to provide a visual indication of any associated pickup activity.
In embodiments, the present invention also offers many display options for backlighting, for example, the volume, tone, bass, treble and/or middle equalization controls through the use of illuminated LED potentiometers (or POTs). These light-up POTS allow easy viewing of where the controls are set while on stage during low stage lighting levels. Likewise, the transparent pickup fastening screws with backlighting indicate which pickups are on or off and which modes (series or parallel or a combination of series/parallel) they are operating in by use of multi-colors. In embodiments, the fastening screws can be replaced with traditional mounting hardware and the use of light pipe installed next to the mounting screws for an easier form of installation. The number of pickup sounds or tones can be displayed with an optional two digit seven segment display module that can be installed in the instrument or on a small display box attached to the instrument using a cable.
In further embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for volume control contains a translucent shaft backlit directly or indirectly by LED's mounted to a printed circuit board and placed under the translucent shaft or from LED's mounted to an additional printed circuit board contained within the translucent shaft illuminating the volume control shaft and knob itself.
Additionally, in embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for tone control contains a translucent shaft backlit directly or indirectly by LED's mounted to a printed circuit board and placed under the translucent shaft or from LED's mounted to an additional printed circuit board contained within the translucent shaft illuminating the tone control shaft and knob itself.
According to further aspects of the invention, a programmable pickup switching system comprises a control printed circuit board; a plurality of switches communicatively interconnected to the control printed circuit board, a plurality of switches communicatively interconnected within the switching system, the plurality of switches including a multi-pole, double-throw bank switch; a tip, ring and sleeve output jack communicatively interconnected within the switching system for providing power; and/or a battery voltage source communicatively interconnected within the switching system to provide power to the visual indication of associated controls, illuminated POTs, touch sensitive control/indicators or Two Digit LED display modules in the switching system.
Additionally, in embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for volume control contains a vertically mounted PCB containing at least one of six LEDs, which is mounted to a main horizontal PCB providing support and power connections to the vertical mounted PCB. The two printed circuit boards, vertical and horizontal, now mated together as a single assembly, are then inserted into a potentiometer with a hollow translucent shaft to backlight the translucent shaft and any clear, translucent, or opaque control knob pushed onto or fastened to the translucent shaft.
In further embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for tone control contains a vertical mounted PCB having a least one of six LEDs, which is mounted to a main horizontal PCB providing support and power connections to the vertical mounted PCB. The two printed circuit boards, vertical and horizontal, now mated together as a single assembly, are then inserted into a potentiometer with a hollow translucent shaft to backlight the translucent shaft and any clear, translucent, or opaque control knob pushed onto or fastened to the translucent shaft.
Additionally, in embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for volume control contains a horizontal PCB containing a least one LED that aligns under a potentiometer with a hollow translucent shaft thereby lighting up the shaft and any clear, translucent, or opaque control knob pushed onto or fastened to the translucent shaft.
Furthermore, in embodiments, at least one potentiometer configured for tone control containing a horizontal PCB containing a least one LED that aligns under a potentiometer with a hollow translucent shaft thereby lighting up the shaft and any clear, translucent, or opaque control knob pushed onto or fastened to the translucent shaft.
According to further aspects of the invention, a pickup switching system comprises a plurality of control printed circuit boards; a plurality of potentiometers communicatively interconnected to the control printed circuit boards, the plurality of potentiometers including potentiometers with hollow translucent shafts providing control of volume and tone; a plurality of switches communicatively interconnected within the switching system, the plurality of switches including a three position switch; a tip, ring and sleeve output jack communicatively interconnected within the switching system; and a battery voltage source communicatively interconnected within the switching system to provide power to the visual indication of associated controls in the switching system.
According to further aspects of the invention, the Pickup Director can be configured with a touch sensitive system including one or more touch sensitive indicators/controllers that respond to the human touch. Control outputs then turn on or off different pickup selections of the pickups and backlight the touch surface light pipe with the same or different LED colors. When one of the touch sensors are touched, a discrete output control line toggles and is available to control the on/off status of a pickup and also lights the LED that is under the light pipe touch surface to provide indication on the control surface. Likewise, these outputs can be used in conjunction with a wireless transceiver module that sends switch commands wirelessly to a corresponding transceiver on stage to control an amplifier's control modes, for example. In embodiments, the touch sensitive system can also drive effects pedals on or off or other electronics from the musical instrument according to the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, there are five control/indicators that reside in the lower horn of an electric guitar of form Stratocaster. The touch system technology itself supports, and the inventor contemplates, for example, from one to eight control touch sensors/indicators within this exemplary electrical design and according to aspects of the present invention.
In embodiments, a programmable pickup director switching system for a musical instrument comprises a plurality of pickup coils, a pickup director control board communicatively interconnected to the plurality of pickup coils, and a push/pull potentiometer structured and arranged to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils. The system also includes a main multi-position switch having m positions, a bank select switch having n positions and a switching matrix configured to switch one or more of the plurality of pickup coils into a signal path based on a position of at least one of the main multi-position switch and the bank select switch or a position of the push/pull potentiometer.
In embodiments, the push/pull potentiometer in a first position is structured and arranged to activate available selections or combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils.
In embodiments, the push/pull control potentiometer, when moved from the first position to a second position, is configured to store a selected pickup selection or combination in a storage location designated by the relative positions of the multi-position switch and bank select switch.
In further embodiments, the main multi-position switch and the bank select switch are structured and arranged to activate stored selections or combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils.
In additional embodiments, the plurality of pickup coils comprise one of: three single coil pickups, one humbucking pickup and two single coil pickups, one 4-wire humbucking pickup and two single coil pickups, two 4-wire humbucking pickups, two 4-wire humbucking pickups and one single coil pickup, and four single coil pickups.
In embodiments, at least one illuminated potentiometer is configured as at least one of a volume control knob and a tone control knob and structured and arranged to illuminate at least one of numbers and patterns on the control knob.
In further embodiments, the pickup director control board is communicatively interconnected to the main multi-position switch having m positions and the bank select switch having n positions, wherein the bank select switch is configured to multiply the m positions of the main multi-position switch by the n positions of the bank select switch to provide n×m pickup configuration storage locations.
In additional embodiments, a pickup composer software code is tangibly embodied on a storage medium and operable to alter a total number of different pickup selections and combinations and the different pickup selections and combinations afforded by a pickup configuration of the musical instrument.
In further embodiments, the push/pull potentiometer, when in the second position, is configured to adjust another parameter for the musical instrument.
In embodiments, the relative positions of the multi-position switch and the bank select switch are operable to select a stored pickup configuration when the push/pull potentiometer is in the second position.
In embodiments, two backlit LED light pipes are communicatively interconnected with the pickup director control board, wherein the two backlit LED light pipes are structured and arranged to alternately toggle between themselves upon a change in pickup selection actuated by rotation of the push/pull potentiometer in the first position.
In additional embodiments, the pickup director switching system further comprises internal firmware, and a control port structured and arranged for re-programming of the internal firmware.
In further embodiments, the system includes at least one of a transparent fastening screw and a lightpipe, backlit by an LED and located adjacent to at least one of the pickup coils, wherein the pickup director control board is communicatively interconnected to the LED to indicate operation of the at least one of the pickup coils.
In embodiments, at least two transparent fastening screws or two lightpipes backlit by different color LEDs are structured and arranged adjacent at least one of the plurality of pickup coils, wherein the pickup director control board is communicatively interconnected to the different color LEDs to indicate one of parallel, series and parallel series wiring for the at least one of the plurality of pickup coils.
In additional embodiments, the pickup director switching system is re-scalable to configure a number of pickup configuration selection positions of the push/pull control potentiometer.
In further embodiments, an LED alphanumeric display is configured to indicate a selected pickup configuration.
In embodiments, at least one touch sensitive control is configured to activate a pickup coil of the plurality of pickup coils.
In additional embodiments, the pickup director control board comprises a micro-controller.
In further embodiments, the push/pull potentiometer is configured to activate different stored equalization settings.
In embodiments, the system includes at least one touch sensitive control and a wireless transceiver, wherein the at least one touch sensitive control is configured to control one or more parameters of a device connected via the wireless transceiver.
In additional embodiments, the system includes at least one piezo pickup, wherein the push/pull potentiometer is configured to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils and the at least one piezo pickup.
In further embodiments, an illuminated potentiometer is configured as at least one of a volume control knob and a tone control knob. The illuminated potentiometer includes a potentiometer, a translucent shaft extending from the potentiometer, at least one light emitting diode (LED), and a control knob. The at least one LED is structured and arranged to project illumination via translucent shaft to the control knob to illuminate the control knob.
In embodiments, the potentiometer is configured as a passive controller.
In additional embodiments, the potentiometer is configured as an active controller.
In embodiments, the pickup director switching system further comprises a remote powered system operable to power at least one of: the pickup director control board; an illuminated potentiometer; a touch sensitive system; a display system; and a pre-amplifier.
In further embodiments, a pickup director switching system for a musical instrument includes a plurality of pickup coils, a touch sensitive control system comprising at least one touch sensitive controller/indicator, and a push/pull potentiometer configured to activate a touch sensitivity of the touch sensitive control system when in a first position. The at least touch sensitive controller/indicator is configured to at least one of: activate or deactivate a respective pickup coil of a plurality of pickup coils upon activation of the touch sensitive controller/indicator, and visually indicate an active/deactive status of the respective pickup coil; and activate, deactivate or control one or more parameters of a device connected via a wireless transceiver upon activation of the touch sensitive controller/indicator, and visually indicate an active/deactive status of the device or the one or more parameters.
In embodiments, a programmable pickup director switching system is for a musical instrument comprising a plurality of pickup coils. The switching system includes a pickup director control board structured and arranged for communicative interconnection to the plurality of pickup coils, a push/pull potentiometer structured and arranged to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils. Also, the system includes a main multi-position switch having m positions, a bank select switch having n positions and a switching matrix configured to switch one or more of the plurality of pickup coils into a signal path based on a position of at least one of the main multi-position switch and the bank select switch or a position of the push/pull potentiometer.
In additional embodiments, a remote powered system for a musical instrument comprises a tip-ring-sleeve cable having three signal paths and comprising a first connector and a second connector and an AC to DC power adaptor structured and arranged to supply power to a first signal path of the three signal paths. A second signal path of the three signal paths is configured for an instrument signal, and a third signal path of the three signal paths is configured for a ground signal.
In further embodiments, the remote powered system is operable to power via the first signal path at least one of: the pickup director control board; an illuminated potentiometer; a touch sensitive system; a display system; and a pre-amplifier.
In embodiments, a method of using a programmable pickup director switching system for a musical instrument having a plurality of pickup coils comprises moving a push/pull potentiometer from a second position to a first position to activate a pickup configuration selection mode of the switching system, and rotating the push/pull potentiometer to activate a selected pickup configuration amongst a plurality of different pickup configurations comprising selections or combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils. The method further comprises moving the push/pull potentiometer from the first position to the second position to activate a pickup configuration storing mode of the switching system, wherein the selected pickup configuration is stored in a particular memory bank location of a memory device.
In additional embodiments, the method further comprises selecting the particular memory bank location using least one of a main multi-position switch and a bank select switch.
In additional embodiments, the method further comprises using a touch sensitive control system comprising at least one touch sensitive controller/indicator to at least one of: activate or deactivate a respective pickup coil of a plurality of pickup coils upon activation of the touch sensitive controller/indicator, and visually indicate an active/deactive status of the respective pickup coil; and activate, deactivate or control one or more parameters of a device connected via a wireless transceiver upon activation of the touch sensitive controller/indicator, and visually indicate an active/deactive status of the device or the one or more parameters.
In additional embodiments, the method further comprises retrofitting the instrument with the programmable pickup director switching system.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
The present invention relates to a fully programmable Pickup Director switching system. The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail are exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings,
As shown in
In embodiments, the guitar selector switch 110 is a pickup selector switch, for example, a five position blade switch or the like, and is read by the control 105 to then select a particular pickup or combination of pickups in order to achieve a desired sound via the programmable pickup matrix 125. The switch 110 may be configured as any type of switch, such as, for example, a slide switch, toggle switch, rotary multiple position selector switch, three position on/on/on switch etc. When attached to a small printed circuit board (PCB), the switch 110 can replace an existing five position switch and be located within a guitar, e.g., a FENDER® STRATOCASTOR® type guitar (amongst other contemplated types and styles of guitars) with very minimal, and in some cases no need for any additional drilling or routering. (Fender and Stratocastor are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in the United States and other countries.) In embodiments, the MENU push/pull potentiometer 115 is a rotary potentiometer with an integral push/pull switch for setting and/or selecting parameters. Further, in embodiments, when the Push/Pull POT 115 is in the “Pulled” up position the POT Menu is active and allows auditioning of the many different pickup configurations and sounds to choose from. When the Push/Pull POT switch 115 is “Pushed” down the setting is stored and the current MENU selection is saved for instant recall using the guitar selector switch 110. The Pickup Director control board 105 may reside in an electric guitar of Stratocaster-type guitar, for example, by replacing the tone control in the center position of the Stratocaster-type guitar (e.g., the second tone control position).
In embodiments, the bank select switch 120 may be, for example, a micro-sized or standard sized three-position switch common in the arts. In embodiments, the switch 120 can be used for BANK selection in groups of five (due to the exemplary five position guitar select switch 110) for three by five selections of fifteen preprogrammed pickup combinations and/or single coil or humbucking type configurations. Alternatively, for example, in embodiments, the three-position switch 120 may be replaced with a five-position switch for five by five or twenty five user programmable selections of pickup combinations of single coil and humbucking type configurations for recall, for example, during real-time performance.
In embodiments, an indication or display system includes a LED light pipe system 150 having light emitting diodes (LEDs) respectively mounted under transparent fastening screws used to hold pickups and pickup elements in place on an instrument or under transparent light pipes next to the pickups to allow for original standard screw fastening to hold the pickups in place, as illustrated in
An LED (not shown) having any desired color is mounted below the transparent fastening screw (e.g., 560, 565) and, when illuminated depending on color, provides a series or parallel combination of mode indication for the neck position pickup 555. A middle position pickup 570 is attached to the guitar 505 by a transparent fastening screw 575 and a standard adjustment screw 510. An LED having any desired color is mounted below the transparent fastening screw 575 and, when illuminated, provides a series or parallel combination of mode indication for the middle pickup 570. A lower bridge position four-wire humbucking pickup 580 is attached to the guitar 505 by one or more transparent fastening screws 585, 590 and one or more standard adjustment screws 510. An LED having any desired color is mounted below the transparent fastening screws (e.g., 585, 590) and, when illuminated, provides a series or parallel combination of mode indication for the bridge pickup 580. As described above, due to the great number of programmable pickup combinations and configurations, the indication or display system visually indicates the pickups' on/off status and mode status as series, in parallel or a combination of both series and parallel depending on color. This display system is done in an elegant manner, and is non-intrusive to the instrument's natural look and appearance. In accordance with aspects of the invention, by replacing the standard fastening screws used to hold the pickup element(s) in place on an instrument with the transparent screws 560, 565, 575, 585, 590, the screws continue to function in the usual fastening manner but now also take on the new function of allowing light from LED's under the screw to propagate as an indication of the on or off status of each particular pickup, as well as in a decorative manner. The screws continue to fasten the pickup to the instrument, provide an ability to adjust the pickup height relative to the string as is common place, but now also provide an indication of which pickups are ON or OFF by lighting up in different colors or by lighting ON and shining through the transparent screw for a pickup which is on or not shining through the transparent screw for a pickup which is OFF. It is to be noted that the programmable Pickup Director is able to provide different modes of series and parallel combinations between bridge, middle and neck position pickups being used together and are not limited to the bridge, middle and neck position pickups alone. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the volume (V) control POT 515 and/or the tone (T) control POT 535 can be backlit such that the numbers on the knob, shapes or patterns on the knobs themselves light up and can be seen in low stage light levels according to aspects of the present invention.
A neck four-wire humbucking pickup 670 is attached to the guitar 605 by standard adjustment screws 610. A middle position pickup 675 is attached to the guitar 605 by standard adjustment screws 610. A lower bridge position four-wire humbucking pickup 680 is attached to the guitar 605 by standard adjustment screws 610. It is to be noted that the programmable Pickup Director is able to provide different modes of series and parallel combinations between bridge, middle and neck position pickups being used together and are not limited to the bridge, middle and neck position pickups alone. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the volume (V) control POT 615 and/or the tone (T) control POT 635 may be backlit such that the numbers on the knob, shapes or patterns on the knobs themselves light up and can be seen in low stage light levels according to aspects of the present invention.
In embodiments, one or more, for example, five and up to eight different touch sensitive controller/indicators that control as well as indicate a selection of pickup on/off positions can be used in conjunction with the Pickup Director. This option allows musicians to select pickup configurations as a more visual and touch sensitive application and approach. One or more of the touch sensitive controller/indicators can also be configured to operate as wireless generic controls to turn on or off switches remotely located, for example, up to three to ten meters away from the instrument.
As described above, due to the great number of programmable pickup combinations and configurations, the indication or display systems visually indicates the pickups' on/off status and mode status as series, in parallel or a combination of both series and parallel depending on color. This display systems are done in an elegant manner, and is non-intrusive to the instrument's natural look and appearance.
As described above, in embodiments, the programmable Pickup Director switching system includes a MENU Push/Pull POT control attached to a control logic PCB, a five position blade switch connected to the control logic PCB with a plurality of pickups/transducers connected to the control logic PCB, a micro-sized three position Bank Select Switch connected to the control logic PCB and a display system option using LED's with light pipes for indication of pickup modes and selections, which serves as an entire system for selecting and controlling the many different sounds a plurality of pickups and/or transducers provided within a given musical instrument.
As is the case with many existing switching methods, providing many (more than 10) combinations with respect to the number of coils populated on the instrument of selected pickup sounds is not commonplace. This system not only provides many (for example, in embodiments, up to 49 on board and programmable for up to 140+ other sounds) combinations of the quantity of pickup and transducer sounds, the present invention allows for instant (e.g., realtime) or pseudo random access of these pickup configurations in programmable manners whereby the settings are remembered even after the application of power is removed or if the battery life is exceeded. In other such switching systems the setting of jumpers, dip switches and the like are required and not conducive to a musician's live performance.
The system is designed to be easily operated during a real time performance and user friendly to a musician by using similar switches for which the performer is already familiar. In embodiments, the system can be used in one of two ways. The system can select the many different pickup combinations of, e.g., three or four or five pickups, by the musician rotating the MENU POT while in the up position. This process can be repeated over and over again by the continuous rotation of the MENU POT control.
A second way to use the system is to place the five position blade switch to a particular position, pull up and rotate the MENU POT control until a desired sound or pickup selection is achieved, then push the MENU POT control down to SAVE that particular setting to memory for recall at a later time. The next time the five position switch is returned to this same particular position, the setting is remembered for instant recall. This process can be repeated for each of the five positions offered by the familiar five position blade switch common in the arts, with blade switches having any number of positions contemplated by the invention. Additional BANKS of five position locations can be achieved by moving a three position switch from it's UP position to its next position (center) thereby providing five new locations for access of pickup selections made by turning the Menu POT control. Now the three position switch can then be placed in its DOWN position allowing five more selections to be made and stored to memory for access during a performance. Thus, this exemplary embodiments, achieves fifteen locations to store the different pickup sounds and configurations. With another exemplary embodiment, twenty-five locations can be achieved by replacing the three position switch with an additional five position switch.
Due to the many other styles of electrified musical instruments on the market, the applicability is the same except that implementation and locations of this invention's control methods may be accommodated with even greater ease because of not having to fit into a particular form factor such as the type Stratocaster guitar.
Because the additional amount of pickup combinations may be difficult to remember to the performing musician, all kinds of display methods have been used such as LCD Displays, DOT Matrix type displays and other bulky displays. In the case of this invention, several elegant methods of displaying which pickups are selected are provided for. In this unique approach, transparent screws are used in place of the standard screws for fastening the pickups to the instrument. The screws are functional in three ways: (1) fastening the pickups to the instrument for placement; (2) adjusting the high of the pickup relative to the strings of the instrument for amplitude or output level adjustment; and (3) providing transparency such that an LED from beneath the screw indicates whether a particular pickup is selected or not by the LED being on or off or indicated by a difference in color. Also in embodiments, transparent light pipe inserts may be used in place of screws but located next to a standard mounting screw for an easier installation and production method. The backlit light pipe display allows identification of pickup modes and pickup on/off status.
The programmable pickup and transducer switching system provides a new and useful method for selecting, for example, seven to thirty-seven different pickup selections and is simpler in construction, more universally usable by musicians of all types and more versatile in operation than any known apparatus. Furthermore, the ease of use in the programmable mode of operation, programming the pickups selection and manual mode of operation, a performing musician can adjust while playing the instrument, his/her preferences as they perform live as well as prior to the performance.
Referring to all of the various configurations described above, the transparent screws and associated LEDs can be configured in any color, and can be placed on any side of the associated pickup (e.g., left, right, or both sides), and they can be used whether they are used in a pickup guard plate or no plate at all. Also, the LEDs can also be mounted directly into the pickups and transducers themselves for the indications of which pickups are on or off. The LEDs can also be arranged within the pickup retaining ring that surrounds the pickup or pickups. In embodiments, the display LEDs may also be located by and parallel to the five position blade switch from below the pickguard or wood on the PCB board itself for ease of installation and not require transparent hardware whatsoever. In addition, in embodiments, for example, photovoltaic MOSFETs can be used as the switching elements for the magnetic pickups and/or piezo type transducers. The photovoltaic MOSFETs can be mounted directly into the pickups and transducers themselves for switching the sounds on and off. In addition, linear photo voltaic MOSFETs can be used to control the amplitude (output level) or frequency (tone) of each pickup or piezo element inside the instrument or instruments pickups.
The controls involved in the programmable Pickup Director system can be ergonomically configured in accordance with the desires of the user. Pickups and/or transducers can be associated with any position of a five position or multi-position blade switch, or a three positions blade switch or a GIBSON® style three position switch according to the desires of the user. (Gibson is a trademark of the Gibson Guitar Corp.)
Additionally, in embodiments, musical instruments can be configured with a passive mechanical rotary encoder for selection of multiple pickups or transducers for the selection of sounds or tones produced. The use of the switching system for control of built in digital signal processing effects such as reverb, chorus, distortion, equalization, or external MIDI control functions can be provided via an assignable MIDI output five position switch. Use of the Touch-5 technology in embodiments can be used to control on-board digital signal processing (DSP) preamps for effects at your finger tips, amount of distortion level, equalization of guitar or bass guitar tone controls like bass, middle, treble, piezo bass, piezo middle and piezo treble type controls.
The Pickup Director switching system provides easy selection of multiple pickup or transducer selections not able to be easily selected from before and to provide programmability of a user specified order of selection relevant to a familiar five position control switch that can overcome deficiencies of prior art devices.
In embodiments, the Pickup Director switching system includes a remote power supply system, which allows the system to be remotely powered by a power source outside the instrument and bypass the on board battery (if any). In embodiments, the programmable Pickup Director switching system provides programmable memory that is non-volatile and can retain pre-set data even after the removal of power or if the battery life of a battery is exceeded.
In embodiments, the programmable Pickup Director switching system provides a programmable pickup selection device that can accommodate a plurality of pickups, pickup configurations and transducers on any given musical instrument. In embodiments, the programmable Pickup Director switching system provides a programmable pickup selection device whose integral five position switch and PCB sub-system installs into existing body cavity of type Stratocaster with little or no additional drilling or routing of wood for clearance.
The programmable Pickup Director switching system provides a musician friendly pickup switching device that is also programmable and displays selections for ear training of all new tonalities that is more universally functional in today's market than prior art devices.
The programmable Pickup Director switching system provides programmable configurations that are programmable in real time by the user during a musical performance for the selection of different tonalities, sounds and pickup arrangements not able to be easily selected from on a musical instrument before. By providing a minimal of controls to the instrument, the functionality is user friendly and easy to use in both the programming and playing modes of operation. The programmable Pickup Director switching system resides within an instrument and is interchangeable in many cases with existing switching systems common in the arts, thereby providing ease of installation. The system is applicable to a vast number of musical instruments using magnetic and piezo pickups, and can provide inspiration to musicians and performers by allowing them to express a whole new dimension of sounds from within their new or existing instruments with great ease of use.
The Programmable Pickup Director is a musician's multi-pickup selector that installs into standard Stratocaster and other guitars with 5-Position and 3-Position type switches allowing 15 instant locations to access up to 40+ pickup combinations. The Pickup Director can also be used with standard Gibson type 3-Position selector switches for programmable 3 selections and up to 9 selections using an optional mini 3-position toggle switch. The mini toggle switch is a simple 3-Position toggle switch with the center position as “off” or as typically known as an On-Off-On three position switch. By using the mini toggle switch as a “Bank Select” switch, 9 different pickup selections can be selected from and stored within the switch
In accordance with aspects of the invention as discussed further below and with reference to
According to an aspect of the invention, pickup selections can be programmed in any order the musician desires. A single switch instantly (e.g., in real time) selects and activates the pre-programmed pickup tonality.
Furthermore, in embodiments, the system supports and uses:
The pickup director is designed to be very easy to use for live performance and/or for studio applications. The pickup director is also easy to install and will fit into standard STRAT® type guitars without guitar cavity modifications. (Strat is a registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in the United States and other countries.) In embodiments, there are four versions or dash numbers of Pickup Directors that cover guitars from three single coils to two humbuckers plus a middle single coil pickup configuration. The Pickup Director includes a printed circuit board that accommodates all four dash versions. In embodiments, the pickup director installs with two right angle mounting brackets and included #6 screws that allow the board to mounted using the same two screw holes that hold the original five-position blade switch into the pickguard. With reference to
The present invention also has the ability to memorize up to eight different potentiometer settings on a guitar or bass with active preamp circuitry. The main menu selection pot can be used to control something else in the system when the push/pull pot is down and not in programming menu mode. In embodiments, the preamp's standard pots can be replaced with electronically controlled pots, e.g., having 10K, 50K or 100K linear resistance values.
With reference to the exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of
With reference to the exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA1 pin 20 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard 250K or 500K Push/Pull POT switch called the Menu POT. This Menu POT reads different groupings of windowed voltage ranges based on the total number of pickup selections, e.g., including code that is scalable to read different amounts or groupings of analog voltage readings based from 0 v to 3.3 v dc and dividing up the ranges with hysteresis (15 mV) to assign processor outputs to operate electronic switches connected to the pickups. Examples discussed below show the differences between the -1 and -2 versions of the Pickup Director. This ability is important because -3, -4 versions of Pickup Directors may require other different pickup configurations and the scalable code keeps coding and software changes simple and easy to implement.
Additionally with this exemplary embodiment, the RB4 pin 14 can be used to detect the Push/Pull switch mechanically connected to the Menu POT to enter into Programming Mode (switch or pot pulled out) or normal Pickup Director operations (switch or pot pushed in). In Programming Mode, the turning of the Menu POT will select the different pickup configurations. The order of selection may be user programmable and, in embodiments, should follow a logical method (e.g., all the single coil sounds first followed by all the series humbucking pickup selection sounds followed by the different single coil and series humbucking combinations together).
Alternatively, the hardware can support the use of RA0 pin 19 via jumpers as the method to enter into Programming Mode with the added ability for an ultra low power wakeup feature to save power. RA0 is otherwise considered a SPARE I/O pin, which can be configured as a spare switch input, spare POT1 input or as a spare output control.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RB0 pin 8, RB1 pin 9 and RB2 pin 10 are configured as interrupt-on-change input pins used to detect the changing positions of the 5-position blade switch for selecting the different pickup combinations and memory locations. Only one pole of the blade switch is required to detect the changing blade switch positions. The selected switch change takes effect on immediate changing of the switch operation. In embodiments, the other pole may optionally be used for a “dead battery” feature that allowing for a back-up switching mode of a basic guitar switching scheme. This would require a normally closed electronic switch and a control line to implement the feature. For reading the 5-position blade switch and to minimize noise, polling is not preferred and therefore the interrupt-on-change method is very much preferred.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RB6 pin 16 and RB7 pin 17 are configured as interrupt-on-change input pins used to detect the changing positions of a mini 3-position ON-OFF-ON switch for selecting three different “BANKS” of pickup sound memory locations. The Bank Select switch takes effect on immediate changing of the switch operation. When RB6 and RB7 read in as “1” and “0,” respectively, this is considered BANK 1 and 5 other locations from the 5-position blade switch can be used to control output lines to the switch matrix for selecting different pickup sounds. When RB6 and RB7 read in as “1” and “1,” respectively, this is considered BANK 2 and 5 additional other locations from the 5-position blade switch can be used to control output lines to the switch matrix for selecting different pickup sounds. When RB6 and RB7 read in as “0” and “1,” respectively, this is considered BANK 3 and 5 additional locations from the 5-position blade switch for a total of 3 BANKS of 5-position Blade switch settings for 3×5 or 15 locations of preset pickup locations for selecting different pickup sounds from the switch matrix.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA2 pin 21 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Bass POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Bass POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Bass cut or Bass boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. In embodiments, the Bass POT is optionally used for magnetic type pickup control on a preamp assembly.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA3 pin 22 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Treble POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Treble POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Treble cut or Treble boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. In embodiments, the Treble POT is optionally used for magnetic type pickup control on a preamp assembly.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA5 pin 24 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Middle POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Middle POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Middle cut or Middle boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. The Middle POT is used for magnetic type pickup control on a preamp assembly and if no Middle control exists, the input is still active but does nothing and is held in a stable or static condition by the capacitor or can become a SPARE I/O.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RE0 pin 25 shall be used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Piezo Bass POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Piezo Bass POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Piezo Bass cut or Piezo Bass boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. In embodiments, the Piezo Bass POT is optionally used for piezo type pickup control on a preamp assembly.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RE1 pin 26 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Piezo Treble POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Piezo Treble POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Piezo Treble cut or Piezo Treble boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. In embodiments, the Piezo Treble POT is optionally used for piezo type pickup control on a preamp assembly.
With this exemplary embodiment, the RE2 pin 27 is used to read an analog voltage between 0 volts and 3.3 volts from the wiper of a standard POT called the Piezo Middle POT. The voltage corresponding to the wiper position of the Piezo Middle POT shall be sent out as digital data from the I2C interface of the processor to an I2C non-volatile digital POT for controlling the amount of Piezo Middle cut or Piezo Middle boost level on a preamp for guitar or bass guitar. The Piezo Middle POT is used for piezo type pickup control on a preamp assembly and if no Piezo Middle control exists, the input is still active but does nothing and is held in a stable or static condition by the capacitor or can become a SPARE I/O.
Referring to
1. Parallel/Series Pickup Control of Switch Matrix
This section describes exemplary output signals for controlling the parallel or series operations of pickups.
L2 Coil
With continued reference to the exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of
L3 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA6 pin 31 is used as an Active Low output signal named CTR_L3_P/Ser* and is used for controlling the switch matrix. When the signal is asserted Low the switch matrix is connected for the SERIES mode of L3 pickup control operation. The (*) asterisk at the end of the signal name indicates an asserted Low control signal.
L4 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RA7 pin 30 is used as an Active Low output signal named CTR_L4_P/Ser* and is used for controlling the switch matrix. When the signal is asserted Low the switch matrix is connected for the SERIES mode of L4 pickup control operation. The (*) asterisk at the end of the signal name indicates an asserted Low control signal.
L5 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RB3 pin 11 is used as an Active Low output signal named CTR_L5_P/Ser* and is used for controlling the switch matrix. When the signal is asserted Low the switch matrix is connected for the SERIES mode of L5 pickup control operation. The (*) asterisk at the end of the signal name indicates an asserted Low control signal.
2. Master on/Off Pickup Control of Switch Matrix
This section describes exemplary output signals for controlling the main output signals of pickups within the pickup switch matrix.
L1 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC0 pin 32 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L1_On and is used for controlling the switch matrix. This signal controls the final output signal of a Single Coil Bridge position pickup (or the single coil portion of a humbucking pickup) of L1 and allows the L1 pickup to be turned on or off. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L2 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC1 pin 35 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L2_On and is used for controlling the switch matrix. This signal controls the final output signal of a Humbucking Bridge position pickup (or the single coil portion of a humbucking pickup) of L2 and allows the L2 pickup to be turned on or off. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L3 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC2 pin 36 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L3_On and is used for controlling the switch matrix. This signal controls the final output signal of a Single Coil Middle position pickup of L3 and allows the L3 pickup to be turned on or off. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L4 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC5 pin 43 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L4_On and is used for controlling the switch matrix. This signal controls the final output signal of a Single Coil Neck position pickup (or the single coil portion of a humbucking pickup) of L4 and allows the L4 pickup to be turned on or off. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L5 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD6 pin 4 shall is as an active High output signal named CTR_L5_On and is used for controlling the switch matrix. This signal controls the final output signal of a Humbucking Neck position pickup (or the single coil portion of a humbucking pickup) of L5 and allows the L5 pickup to be turned on or off. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
3. Series Pickup Configuration Control of Switch Matrix
This section describes exemplary controlling “L” coil signals for various series operation of one pickup with that of another pickup within the pickup switch matrix.
L1 in Series with L3 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD0 pin 38 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L1L3_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L1 in Series with L4 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD1 pin 39 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L1L4_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L1 in Series with L5 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD2 pin 40 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L1L5_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L2 in Series with L4 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD3 pin 41 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L2L4_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L2 in Series with L5 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD4 pin 2 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L2L5_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
L3 in Series with L5 Coil
With this exemplary embodiment, the RD5 pin 3 is used as an active High output signal named CTR_L3L5_Ser and is used for controlling the switch matrix for SERIES operation of any single coil or humbucking pickup with any other single coil or humbucking pickup elements. The lack of having an asterisk (*) in the signal name indicates that this is an asserted High control signal.
4. Processor Control (CTR) Outputs & Serial Data
RC6 Output
RC6 pin 44 can be used as a Spare Output 1 or for Serial TX Data.
RC7 Output
RC7 pin 1 can be used as a Spare Output 2 or for Serial RX Data.
Spare RD7 Output
RD7 pin 5 can be used as a Spare Output 3 or to drive an additional LED.
5. Serial Data Control in an I2C Format for 7 Digital Control POTs
This portion defines an exemplary I2C allocation for controlling digital POTs.
I2C Serial Clock
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC3 pin 37 is used as an I2C serial Clock line to a digital I2C Control POT.
I2C Serial Data
With this exemplary embodiment, the RC4 pin 42 is used as an I2C serial Data line to a digital I2C Control POT.
6. Serial Data Control in an I2C Format for 2 Seven Segment Digital Displays or LED's
This portion defines the I2C allocation for controlling a two digit 7 segment digital LED display. The I2C display chip is a single chip driver device.
A brief programming example shows how the driver chip may be used to set the LED's on a display.
7. Serial Programming of the MICRO-CONTROLLER using VB, VCP & USB Cable Driver
Tx Serial Data Output
In embodiments, the Pickup Director uses the 232 type serial UART Tx interface to communicate with a host PC using the Visual Basic application pickup controller interface software. The CTR_Spare_1 (Tx) port is used for the serial transmitter communication.
Rx Serial Data Input
In embodiments, the Pickup Director uses the 232 type serial UART Rx interface to communicate with a host PC using the Visual Basic application pickup controller interface software. The CTR_Spare_2 (Rx) port is used for the serial receiver communication.
LED Menu Knob Indicator
In embodiments, a display using two individual LED's indicates the transition from each voltage range on the main menu POT control. In the case of the -1 configuration with 14 step changes, each alternate step change shall light up a different color LED. This will help the player “see” where the different pickup sounds transition from. The basic LED display shall work going forward and backward and shall be controlled inside the hysteresis points for a clean transition of LED operation.
In embodiments, the CTR_Spare_3 (RD7) and the RB5 or RE3 (Vp) ports could be used to drive the two LED's.
8. Dash 1 Configuration
This section describes a dash 1 configuration for a three single coil pickup type guitar in accordance with aspects of the present invention. This configuration is representative of most standard Strat guitars in the industry without a S1 push on switch. Referring to the below Switch Matrix for a -1 (S/S/S), operations will be described for operating three single coil pickups with the Pickup Director.
The Dash 1 Switch Matrix Schematic
With reference to
To be compatible with Pickup Director-1, -2, -3 and -4 versions the definitions of pickup coils L1 through L5 include S/S/S, H/S/S, H/H, S/S/S/S and H/S/H type pickup configurations. In this case for a S/S/S, only L1, L3 and L4 represent the 3 single coil pickup type guitar.
Description of a -1 Operation Pickup Director
The -1 operation of the Menu POT selects pickup combinations for a S/S/S setup. In a S/S/S configuration with a Pickup Director, 14 total pickup combinations are possible. The 10 BIT ADC full scale volts per counts are calculated by 210 bits=1024−1 for 1023 total counts. At +3.80V DC divided by 1023 full scale counts=3.714 mV per count. The envisioned power supply rail regulated from a +9 V battery is +3.8 V DC. +3.8V DC/14 combinations is 271.4 mV per step change not including a 44.57 mV (12 counts) hysteresis “lock out” between the 12 in-between voltage changes from the menu pot. No hysteresis is required at the full up +3.8V or full down 0V menu pot positions.
The -1 Step Changes when the Menu POT is Pulled Up
Note that positions 1 through 5 are the same as the original standard Strat “hard wired” 5-position blade switch positions.
In keeping with the order of the 14 pickup selections above, Table 3, which is an exemplary Dash 1 table, is shown below that defines all the individual bits from the MICRO-CONTROLLER ports to control the pickup matrix. See the legend below for a description of “series” and “parallel” symbols that decode the dash 1 table.
Legend:
The Symbol “=>” defines pickups wired in series.
The Symbol “//” defines pickups wired in parallel.
Likewise incrementing the menu pot back up to the +3.8V level, the specified combinations shall take place with the hysteresis acting to eliminate any oscillations between pickup sounds or switch chatter. Moving the menu pot up and down shall operate quickly and smoothly.
Step Changes Menu POT Pushed Down
With this exemplary embodiment, the Menu Pot, while pushed down, does nothing.
Menu POT Save
During the menu push/pull POT selection for programming of the 14 sounds and while the menu pot is pulled up, pushing the menu pot down shall store and save the current selection to the position of the 5-position blade switch and position of the optional 3-position mini toggle “Bank Select” switches.
When the menu pot is down, moving the 5-position blade switch or bank select switch shall recall the programmed selection on-the-fly for a Pickup Director operation of the pickup sounds.
5-Position Blade Switch
The 5-position blade switch is the main switch for selecting pickup sounds. When used with the optional 3-position bank select switch, it allows 5×3 or 15 positions to store or access pickup sounds from. When the menu pot is pulled up/out the programming mode is active and when pushing the menu pot down, the position of the 5-position blade switch is saved. In perform mode when the 5-position blade switch is moved to any new position, the new location shall be is read in and the new sound accessed.
Bank Select Switch
In embodiments, an optional 3-position mini toggle switch (On-Off-On) may be used as a “Bank Select” switch to allow 3×5 or 15 positions to store or access pickup sounds from. When the menu pot is pulled up/out the programming mode is active and when pushing the menu pot down, the position of the bank select switch is saved as well. Like wise, in perform mode when the bank switch is moved to any new position, the new location shall be is read in and the new sound accessed.
A -1 Factory Default Configuration for Pickup Director
An exemplary factory default configuration for a dash 1 Pickup Director can be achieved as follows:
Place the 5-position switch to the Neck position.
Place the bank select switch to the center position.
Pull the menu POT push/pull switch to the up position.
Turn the menu POT to the full clock-wise direction.
Push the menu POT down, wait ˜1 sec and pull back up for ˜1 sec.
Push the menu POT back to complete the factory default -1 configuration.
With this exemplary embodiment, the above operation will default to the standard Strat type pickup selections for all bank positions.
9. Dash 2 Configuration
With reference to
The Dash 2 Switch Matrix Schematic
To be compatible with Pickup Director-1, -2, -3 and -4 versions the definitions of pickup coils L1 through L5 include S/S/S, H/S/S, H/H and H/S/H type pickup configurations. In this case for a H/S/S, L1, L2, L3 and L4 represent a Humbucking pickup in the bridge position with a single coil pickup in the middle position and a single coil pickup in the neck position of a guitar.
Description of a -2 Operation Pickup Director with Hum, Single, Single Pickups
The -2 operation of the Menu POT actually selects pickup combinations for a H/S/S setup (-2), four individual Single Coil pickups and Humbucker/Humbucker pickup configurations (-3). Using Pickup Director, there are a total of 49 in phase sounds available from these three pickup configurations.
The total numbers of sounds are from three groups of wiring configurations. These are coils or pickups wired in parallel, series and parallel/series combinations.
The 10 BIT ADC full scale volts per counts are calculated by 210 bits=1024−1 for 1023 total counts. At +3.80V DC divided by 1023 full scale counts=3.714 mV per count. In embodiments, the power supply rail regulated from a +9 V battery is +3.8 V DC. +3.8V DC/14 combinations is 271.4 mV per step change not including a 44.57 mV (12 counts) hysteresis “lock out” between the 12 in-between voltage changes from the menu pot. No hysteresis is required at the full up +3.8V or full down 0V menu pot positions.
The -2 Step Changes when the Menu POT is Pulled Up:
Legend:
The Symbol “=>” defines pickups wired in series.
The Symbol “//” defines pickups wired in parallel.
As shown in Table 4, starting with parallel, 2 coil positions (On/Off) raised to the 4th power is 16 combinations including all coils OFF. Table 1 defines all the single coil parallel sounds and indicates the individual bit positions required from each MICRO-CONTROLLER port. Excluding any absence of sound, subtract 1 from the 16 parallel sounds allows for 15 parallel single coil type sounds. There are 15 different parallel pickup sounds available.
Furthermore, as shown in Tables 5-7, the different Series pickup sounds are defined. Any number of coils; 2, 3 and 4 “In Series” sounds are defined in these tables and provide for the series type or humbucking type pickup sounds. Again, all the individual bit positions are defined for the Pickup Director's matrix. There are 10 different series pickup sounds available.
Finally, the different Parallel/Series pickup combinations sounds are defined in Tables 8 through 19. These tables provide the parallel/series type of pickup sounds available and their respective bit positions from the MICRO-CONTROLLER port hardware. There are 24 different series/parallel pickup sounds available.
By incrementing the menu pot back up to the +3.8V level, the specified combinations take place with the hysteresis acting to eliminate any oscillations between pickup sounds or switch chatter. Moving the menu pot up and down shall operate quickly and smoothly.
Step Changes Menu POT Pushed Down
With this exemplary embodiment, the Menu Pot, while pushed down, does nothing.
The Menu POT Save, 5-position Blade Switch and Bank Select Switch all operate in the same manner as described in the -1 configuration.
10. Dash 3 Configuration
With reference to
The Dash 3 Switch Matrix Schematic
To be compatible with Pickup Director-1, -2, -3 and -4 versions the definitions of pickup coils L1 through L5 include S/S/S, H/S/S, H/H, S/S/S/S and H/S/H type pickup configurations. In this case for a H/H, L1 with L2 represent a Humbucking pickup in the bridge position and L3 with L4 represent a Humbucking pickup in the neck position of a guitar.
Description of a -3 Operation Pickup Director with Hum/Hum or 4 Single Coil Pickups
The -3 operation of the Menu POT selects pickup combinations for a H/H setup. In a H/H configuration with a Pickup Director, 49 total pickup combinations are possible. The 10 BIT ADC full scale volts per counts are calculated by 210 bits=1024−1 for 1023 total counts. At +3.80V DC divided by 1023 full scale counts=3.714 mV per count. The envisioned power supply rail regulated from a +9 V battery is +3.8 V DC. +3.8V DC/14 combinations is 271.4 mV per step change not including a 44.57 mV (12 counts) hysteresis “lock out” between the 12 in-between voltage changes from the menu pot. No hysteresis is required at the full up +3.8V or full down 0V menu pot positions.
The -3 Step Changes when the Menu POT is Pulled Up
The SAME tables used in the -2 section above (Hum/Single/Single) shall be used for the -3 Pickup Director menu and VB application to operate the hardware matrix.
Incrementing the menu pot back up to the +3.8V level, the specified combinations shall take place with the hysteresis acting to eliminate any oscillations between pickup sounds or switch chatter. Moving the menu pot up and down shall operate quickly and smoothly.
Step Changes Menu POT Pushed Down
With this exemplary embodiment, the Menu Pot, while pushed down, does nothing.
The Menu POT Save, 5-position Blade Switch and Bank Select Switch all operate in the same manner as described above in the -1 configuration.
11. Dash 4 Configuration
With reference to
Dash 4 Switch Matrix Schematic
To be compatible with Pickup Director-1, -2, -3 and -4 versions the definitions of pickup coils L1 through L5 include S/S/S, H/S/S, H/H and H/S/H type pickup configurations. In this case for a H/S/H, L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 represent a 4-wire humbucking pickup in the bridge position with a single coil pickup in the middle position and an additional 4-wire humbucking pickup in the neck position of a guitar.
Description of a -4 Operation Pickup Director with Hum Single Hum Pickups
The -4 operation of the Menu POT selects pickup combinations for a H/S/H setup. In a H/S/H configuration with a Pickup Director, at least 168 pickup combinations are possible. The 10 BIT ADC full scale volts per counts are calculated by 210 bits=1024−1 for 1023 total counts. At +3.80V DC divided by 1023 full scale counts=3.714 mV per count. The envisioned power supply rail regulated from a +9 V battery is +3.8 V DC. +3.8V DC/14 combinations is 271.4 mV per step change not including a 44.57 mV (12 counts) hysteresis “lock out” between the 12 in-between voltage changes from the menu pot. No hysteresis is required at the full up +3.8V or full down 0V menu pot positions.
The -4 Step Changes when the Menu POT is Pulled Up
There are at least 168 in phase sounds available from a Hum/Single/Hum pickup configuration. The total numbers of sounds are from three groups of wiring configurations. These are coils or pickups wired in parallel, series and parallel/series combinations.
The 168 definitions are defined in terms of parallel, series and parallel/series table and need conversion to the actual bit level tables as was done for the -1 and -2 pickup configurations.
Legend:
The Symbol “=>” defines pickups wired in series.
The Symbol “//” defines pickups wired in parallel.
As shown in Table 20, starting with parallel, 2 coil positions (On/Off) raised to the 5th power is 32 including all coils OFF. Excluding any absence of sound, subtract 1 from the 32 parallel sounds allows for 31 parallel coil type sounds. Table 20 defines the single coil parallel sounds. There are 31 different parallel pickup sounds available.
All the different Series pickup sounds are defined next. Any number of coils; 2, 3, 4 and 5 “In Series” sounds are defined in Tables 2 through 5 that provide for the series type or humbucking type pickup sounds and configurations. There are 20 different series pickup sounds available.
Finally, the different Parallel/Series pickup combinations sounds are defined last. Using all 5 coils in different parallel and series combinations are defined in Tables 25 through 69. They provide for the parallel/series type of pickup sounds available. There are about 126+ different series/parallel pickup sounds available.
168/3 or around 56 positions per bank select when in menu switch mode.
Incrementing the menu pot back up to the +3.8V level, the specified combinations shall take place with the hysteresis acting to eliminate any oscillations between pickup sounds or switch chatter. Moving the menu pot up and down shall operate quickly and smoothly.
Step Changes Menu POT Pushed Down
With this exemplary embodiment, the Menu Pot, while pushed down, does nothing.
The Menu POT Save, 5-position Blade Switch and Bank Select Switch all operate in the same manner as described in the -1 configuration.
While the invention has been described with references to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/183,084, filed on Jul. 14, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/364,676 filed on Jul. 15, 2010, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61364676 | Jul 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13183084 | Jul 2011 | US |
| Child | 14310439 | US |
